The Truth Behind the "1 Win, 9 Losses" Record That Even Japanese Media Took Notice Of... At This Point, They Are Not Rivals but Nemeses at the Asian Games

[Financial News] At this point, even the word "rival" seems too generous—at least at the Asian Games. "Nemesis" is a more fitting description. South Korea has won nine of the 10 meetings. More importantly, it has won every single final without exception.
The South Korea national under-23 football team, led by coach Lee Min-sung, defeated archrival Japan 1-0 in the men's football final of the 2026 Asian Games at Toyota Stadium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 3rd. The victory secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive Asian Games title. What sent fans' adrenaline soaring as much as the triumph itself was the brutally one-sided all-time record between the two teams.

Even Japanese media, immediately after the defeat in this final, could not deny reality and highlighted a shocking figure: "1 win, 9 losses." Japanese outlets reported that, including the latest final defeat, Japan's all-time Asian Games record against South Korea had fallen to one win and nine losses.
That is Japan's all-time record against South Korea in Asian Games men's football. Its win rate is a mere 10%. In other words, South Korea has won nine of the 10 encounters.
What frustrates Japan most is the history of the finals contested for the gold medal. South Korea has been the only winner in the Korea-Japan finals held at the past three consecutive Asian Games.
2018 Jakarta–Palembang Asian Games final: After a grueling extra-time battle, Lee Seung-woo and Hwang Hee-chan scored in succession to defeat Japan 2-1. Four years later, at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, South Korea conceded the opening goal just two minutes after kickoff but comfortably came from behind to win 2-1 on goals from Jeong Woo-yeong and Cho Young-wook.


In 2026, the third meeting took place, ironically, in the heart of Japan. It was the Asian Games' first return to Japanese home soil in 32 years, since the 1994 Hiroshima Games. Japanese media called for "the third time's the charm," while coach Gō Ōiwa boasted that his team would "pour out its frustration from the past" and reclaim the gold medal for the first time in 16 years. The stands were packed, too. The match came one day before the closing ceremony and was, in effect, the centerpiece and defining highlight of the Asian Games.
The match was, of course, also broadcast on terrestrial television. But once it began, all of Japan fell silent. In the 16th minute of the second half, Eom Ji-sung's sharply struck winning goal found the back of Japan's net, giving South Korea a commanding 1-0 victory. Japan lost 1-2 in 2018, 1-2 in 2022 and 0-1 in 2026. Although the three finals produced nerve-racking classics decided by a single goal, it was always the Taegeuk Warriors who stood atop the podium, bathed in gold.
Even with the overwhelming support of the home fans behind them, Japan could not escape the cruel "1 win, 9 losses" rut. After receiving the dismal record of three defeats in three Asian Games finals against South Korea, Japan's football community is now furious over the wounds inflicted by South Korean football.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter